Te Whenua Retreat
Welcome
Te Whenua Retreat is a privately owned, peaceful retreat centre that provides a deeply nurturing space for individuals and small groups to pause, rest and refocus.
We provide comfortable and spacious private accommodation, nourishing and delicious 'heart-to-table' plant-focused meals, a purposefully designed yoga & meditation space, plus the precious opportunity to slow down and be inspired by our natural setting. Whatever your goals are at this time, cultivating inner wellbeing is always the foundation; and our mission is to support that.
Te Whenua Retreat is located in Gibbston, just 20 minutes from Queenstown airport, in Otago, Aotearoa (New Zealand). Map
Why are retreats so vital to wellbeing?
In the fast flow of modern life, it’s easy to lose touch with ourselves as we navigate daily demands, juggle responsibilities and care for others. A retreat offers more than just deep rest. Stepping away from the busyness creates space for new possibilities. It's an opportunity to rediscover your innate ability to make wise, heart-led decisions and realign with what truly matters. At Te Whenua Retreat, we draw on time-honoured tools to help guide you on this journey - an invitation to slow down; a tranquil environment that invites presence & reflection; seasonal plant-based meals to nourish and inspire; yoga & massage to aid healing; periods of solitude contrasted with companionship; and rich conversations with like-minded people. But perhaps it's soaking with undistracted presence in the environment itself (te whenua means 'the land') that brings us back to wholeness as much as any activity. “In an age of speed, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still.” ~ Pico Iyer This is the value of retreat - a sacred pause where awakening our creativity and intuitive wisdom is not something to strive for but a gift to gently allow.
"My stay at Te Whenua Retreat exceeded my expectations. I found I could sink into the stillness and wildness of the beautiful surroundings and allow a deep sense of relaxation and ease to sink into my bones. The warm invitation to unwind, the delicious cooking, and time spent in rich conversation in the spa under the glorious night sky made for a memorable stay, and a desire to return before too long."
Re-Connection Retreat, July 2021